The exploration of human disease using animal disease models is an important means to study themechanisms underlying disease occurrence and the clinical effects of drugs. At present, various animal models of renalfailure have been developed, but there are few comparative studies of such models. Based on a rat kidney failure model as abreakthrough point, the current paper analyzes and compares rat pathological models of chronic renal failure and acute renalfailure. This includes assessments of the methods used to create the models, the value of the model itself and its practicalresearch applications in the clinical research of the pathogenesis of renal failure, and drug research and development. The most appropriate animal experimental model for specific applications is discussed.